A truck driver who immediately activated the tracking device in his vehicle prevented four robbers from getting away with liquor valued at R3.4-million during a truck hijacking on the R21.
The incident happened at around 3pm on Tuesday on the R21 north between Olifantsfontein and Irene.
Kobeli Mokheseng, spokesperson for Ekurhuleni Metro Police, said the 22m-long Scania truck was towing two trailers containing the beverages. The truck was stopped and hijacked by four men on the side of the roadway, two in police uniform.
“The vehicle tracker was immediately activated by the truck driver and the tracking company, in cooperation with the metro police’s specialised task team unit and Winnie Mandela precinct officers, responded,” said Mokheseng.
“After the truck driver was overpowered by the assailants, who were about to drive off in the truck, the vehicle was cornered by the officers.
All four robbers made a run for it. Two managed to evade arrest while the other pair could not outrun the officers. They were tackled them to the ground and apprehended both at the corner of the M57 and Nellmapius.
The truck was recovered with all its cargo untouched. The truck driver was unscathed but was treated for shock by paramedics on site.
Mokheseng said a manhunt had been launched for the two suspects who escaped.
The two arrested suspects, both 28 years old, were taken to Olifantsfontein Police Station and charged with motor vehicle hijacking. They will appear in Tembisa Magistrate’s Court.
